The Space Economy Workforce and STEM Occupations

The U.S. space economy now reaches nearly every major industry, and over half of its workforce is in STEM roles—more than double the national average. Software developers, engineers, and advanced manufacturing specialists are now just as essential as traditional aerospace professionals. As space technologies expand into communications, research, infrastructure, and digital services, the demand for diverse skillsets continues to evolve. Understanding these occupational shifts is key to workforce planning and national competitiveness.